Only You

Relenting

Aelin returned to her rooms, surprised to find her mother lounging in a chair, sipping on a steaming cup of tea.

"The guards informed me that you and Rowan left for the city earlier. If you had wanted to have some time for the two of you, we could have moved some things around."

Aelin joined her mother on the couch, taking her own cup and pouring the steaming liquid into it. She took a long sip, savouring the warmth, before placing it back on the end table and turning to her mother.

"We have plenty of time together. There was just something we had to do."

"Would this have something to do with Lysandra?"

Aelin didn't look at her mother. Instead taking another sip of her tea.

"Is there something your father and I should know?"

She didn't look at her mother as she spoke. "There may be a baby on the way."

Aelin's mother coughed as she placed the tea on the table. Her posture moving towards Aelin. She cleared her throat. "I hadn't realised you and Rowan had..."

Aelin's eyes widened. "No! No." She shook her head. "I'm not... you thought I was pregnant?"

"It is usual after mating to... consummate the bond. Much like you would after getting married."

Aelin cringed. She had always been close to her mother, but when it came to talking about relationships, it has always been a topic neither had wanted to approach. She had had the standard talk when she had come of age, and when she had been courting other men her mother had insisted on going on a tonic just in case.

"I am not pregnant, mamma. Rowan and I haven't... taken that step yet."

Evalin looked surprised at the confession, but quickly schooled her face back to normal. "It's good to know that Rowan is respecting your boundaries. And I must say I am slightly relieved that you're not pregnant. You're so young, you have plenty of time."

Aelin hummed in agreement and took another sip of the tea. Her mother paused a moment, her eyes widening in realisation. "Lysandra is expecting?"

Aelin nodded. "Aedion is the father."

Evalin stood from the sofa, a hand going to her forehead. Aelin did nothing as her mother stared into the fire and processed.

"Where are they now? Is Lysandra okay?"

"Lysandra is going to stay with Sam for a while in the city. She doesn't want everyone to know yet. So until she is ready to tell people I have been tasked in figuring out what to do."

Evalin paced in front of the fire. "Aedion has not proposed marriage? It seems like the sensible thing to do."

"You know Lysandra. She is worried what people will think and with my marrying for alliances out of the picture, the lords believe it should fall to Aedion."

Her mother waved a hand. "Nonsense. I'll have Orlon speak with them regarding Aedion. Terrasen will find other ways to build relationships. What is more important is everyone's happiness."

Aelin huffed out a laugh at her mothers ranting.

"Whatever they decide, I should prepare new accommodation for Lysandra. Perhaps we'll move her closer to you. There is an empty suite that would be perfect, I can organise some new furniture to be brought in."

Aelin let her mother finish before speaking. "Before you start getting too excited, let's just give Lysandra some time to process. In the meantime we can speak to Orlon."